Extend your stay in Lima

Delve further into The 'City of the Kings' with an extended stay in Peru's capital city of Lima. Brimming with heritage, you will have free time to explore the city to gain further insight into the local area and ancient cultures.

A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Lima offers rich history, great museums, pre-Columbian temples and colonial mansions. Discover more of the city or venture out to the nearby, bohemian district of Barranco where daily life is more relaxed and take a stroll around the old colonial and republican houses. The beautiful area of Miraflores, known for its gardens, parks and beaches, is also not to be missed.

Tour Itinerary

1

UK to Lima

Depart London on your scheduled flight to Lima, via Bogota, Colombia.

2

Lima

On arrival in Lima, you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

3

Lima to Arequipa

Known as the 'City of the Kings', today's tour combines the culture of historic downtown Lima with the modern district of Miraflores. You will first visit the main square to see the Cathedral, Government Palace and City Hall. Next see one of the best-preserved monasteries in Lima, the beautiful Santo Domingo Convent and then on to Miraflores, a bustling shopping area with stupendous views of the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa to spend the night.

Breakfast

4

Arequipa

With its large traditional square and colonial buildings, Peru's second largest city Arequipa has a very Spanish feel. Known as the 'Cuidad Blanca' (White City) and set against the backdrop of the misty volcano, Arequipa offers some truly wonderful cultural and historic sites including the Church of the Society of Jesus, the frescoes of America's Sistine Chapel at the San Ignacio Dome and the labyrinth Santa Catalina Convent. The tour ends with a relaxed walk around the local areas of Cayma and Yanahuara. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Breakfast

5

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Today the tour moves on to the open plains of the Pampa Canaguas and Salinas where you will see llamas, alpacas, and guanacos roaming in the wild. The wetlands are teeming with different species of birdlife, and Patapampa, a high point offers stunning vistas of volcanoes. After about a five hour drive you arrive at Chivay, your base for the night where dinner is included.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

6

Colca Canyon to Puno

An early start from Chivay sets you up for a spectacular scenic tour of the Colca Canyon with its terraced fields, hanging tombs and deep gorges, all culminating with a chance to see the majestic condors as they rise deep from within the canyon. You will then make your way back to the hotel and after lunch, commence your journey to Puno, arriving in the evening where dinner at your hotel is included.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

7

Puno

Today's highlight is a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest and largest navigable lake on earth. The views from Taquile Island that, on a clear day, can stretch to Bolivia are stunning and well worth the hour or so walk to the top from the port. Have a 'coca tea' break half way up before lunch is taken in a simple restaurant that overlooks the lake. Later you will walk back down to the port and board a boat for a brief visit to one of the floating reed islands to visit a local family home. Overnight is in Puno.

Breakfast & Lunch

8

Puno to Cusco

This morning you will travel from Puno to Cusco and be able to appreciate the surrounding valleys' wonderful landscapes en route. The journey includes a stop at La Raya pass, 4,300 metres above sea level, from where you will be able to take in some amazing vistas of the Andean snow-capped mountains. You will also stop at the Raqchi ruins, known as the Temple of the God Wiracocha, and Andahuaylillas village where there is a beautiful church from the 17th century. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before arriving in Cusco and transferring to your hotel.

Breakfast & Lunch

9

Cusco to The Sacred Valley

Today the tour heads for Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where one of the highlights is a visit to the imposing Inca Fortress at Ollantaytambo. En route you will visit a camelid compound to see these unique animals at close quarters as well as the colourful Pisac market where local Indians display and sell their handmade artefacts. Lunch is in a comfortable restaurant then the journey continues to reach your hotel for an overnight stay in the valley.

Breakfast & Lunch

10

The Sacred Valley to Cusco

Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and this morning you will be taken to the station to board the Vistadome train to start your adventure to this incredible site. The train will take you to the city of Aguas Calientes where you disembark and board a bus to the archaeological site. Constructed on a saddle between two Andean peaks, Machu Picchu was one of the greatest achievements of South American civilisation. After a guided tour of this 550-year-old citadel, there is some free time for you to explore and absorb the awe-inspiring atmosphere. You will then descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then catch the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco by coach.

Breakfast & Lunch

11

Cusco

This morning's city tour of Cusco will introduce you to this amazing colonial city built on the foundation of Inca palaces. Visit the 'Temple of the Sun' where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Later you will drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, then to the underground cave and temple of Kenko - one of the largest wak'as (holy places) in the region. Experience a panoramic view of Puca Pucara and, finally, stop at the living art workshop, 'Inka's Expression' to admire how the local ar

Breakfast

12

Cusco to Lima

Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Lima. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast

13

Lima

This day is spent at leisure, allowing you to explore the many sights of Lima.

Breakfast

14

Lima to the UK

After breakfast transfer to Lima International airport for your flight to the UK.

Breakfast

Important Information

Visas

No visa is required for this tour of Peru.

Insurance

You must obtain suitable travel insurance prior to departure. Mercury Direct is partnered with Holiday Extras which offer insurance at the following prices

Age in Years

Up to 64

65 - 74

75 - 85

Up to 17 days cover (Sacred Peru)

£39

£75

£129

Up to 24 days cover (Chilie, Bolivia and Peru)

£45

£89

£139

For all persons 86 years and over, please contact us for insurance prices. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Direct will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

Payment

If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £49pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

Flight Information

All flights are operated by LAN TAM Airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage & hand luggage not exceeding 56cm x 35cm x 22cm in size. Flight times are for guidance only & subject to change.

Health and Vaccinations

We recommend that you consult your local GP for advice on vaccinations and travel health before your departure.

Physical Accessibility

This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Group Size

There is no minimum number of travellers for this extension however the main tour passenger numbers will apply for the main part of the tour. If in the unlikely event there are less than the required number of people booked on your main tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

Tour Guide

A Tour Leader will be with you on your trip starting in Arequipa on Day 3, ending in Puno on Day 12. Day 1, Day 2, Day 11 and Day 12 in Lima do not include a tour leader, however, transfers will be provided by a local English speaking guide.

Currency Information

The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol, the symbol is S/. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you depart US Dollars are widely accepted in Peru should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.

Personal Expenses

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!

Hotel Casa Andina Classic Arequipa

Hotel Casa Andina Classic Colca

La Hacienda Puno Plaza de Armas

Casa Andina Catedral

La Hacienda Valle

Other Extensions

Amazon Adventure

Tour Route

London

Lima

Arequipa

Puno

Cusco

Amazon Jungle

Lima

London

Adventure into one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests, the lush Peruvian Amazon, to witness a truly unique 'country-within-a-country'. Offering phenomenal wildlife-spotting, vast untamed forests and indigenous communities, a stay in the famous amazon is a once in a lifetime experience.

Tumbes Beach Stay

Tour Route

London

Lima

Arequipa

Puno

Cusco

Lima

Tumbes

London

Extend your stay in Peru and head to the beautiful beaches of Tumbes for 3 nights of relaxation. With an idyllic coastline and diverse wildlife, Tumbes offers a perfect end to the Sacred Peru for Solo Travellers tour.

Contact address

Travel Advice and Safety Abroad

For latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information click hereThis advice can change so please check regularly for updates.